In
the past Portuguese wines haven't been taken terribly seriously
outside Portugal, but this is now changing. Regular readers of this
site will know that I've taken a special interest in Portugal, and in
particular the Douro and Alentejo, two quite different regions that
are increasingly making some serious wines. Here are tasting notes on
a selection of wines chosen by Tim Atkin as his top 50 Portuguese
wines for 2006.

Dolium
Reserva 2003 Alentejo(Eborae Vitis e Vinis is the producer). The nose is sweet and
intense with forward dark fruit and some spiciness. Quite modern. The
palate is forward and rich, and is appealing despite the rather heavy
oak imprint. Very good+ 89/100

Herdade
de Grous Reserva 2004 AlentejoSweet open ripe nose with a creamy, oaky edge to the ripe red and
black fruits. The palate is concentrated and open with lots of forward
fruit and nice structure. Perhaps a little oaky at present. Very good+
89/100

Herdade
de Perdigão Reserva 2003 AlentejoMassive blast of sweet vanilla oak on the nose, with a bit of
coconut, too. Lots of ripe, spicy fruit on the palate. Great
concentration but lots of oak. A bit overpowering. Very good+ 86/100

BairradaDão Sul Encontro 1 2003 BairradaAmazing packaging, and the wine lives up to it. Quite a perfumed,
ripe, spicy nose with a savoury, roasted edge. The palate is
concentrated and open with elegant, spicy structure underlying the
ripe fruit. Finishes a little tannic. Very good/excellent 91/100

Filipa
Pato LOKAL Calcárip 2003 BairradaNicely packaged. Sweet, forward, ripe spicy nose with a roasted
edge. Good concentration on the palate which is nicely structured and
shows savoury, almost earthy tannins. A structured wine that should
repay ageing. Very good/excellent 90/100

Chryseia
2003 Douro
Very forward, intense smooth liqueur-like dark fruits on the nose,
with a distinctive blackberry jam character. The palate is ripe and
vivid with some spiciness and a bit of roasted oak in the backgroud.
Nicely structured. A very modern-styled wine, but tasty with it. Very
good/excellent 92/100 (UK retail £30)